Packaging Act: Berlin restaurateurs must offer reusable options - threatening fines!

Packaging Act: Berlin restaurateurs must offer reusable options - threatening fines!

Since January 1, 2023, restaurateur inside in Berlin has had to have additional way options according to the packaging law if they offer food or drinks in disposable packaging. Violations can be punished with high fines. The Ordnungsamt Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg carried out a check on September 28 and found 50 violations. These included both the non -existence of reusable dishes as well as the use of prohibited styrofoam packaging and disposable plastic cutlery. Gastronomy inside, where violations were repeatedly found, have to expect fines. District City Councilor Annika Gerold emphasized the importance of reducing garbage and sustainability and asked the Senate Administration to provide the districts more personnel in order to be able to implement the tasks.

The introduction of the reusable obligation in Berlin has local effects on the catering industry in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. Gastronomy inside must now provide additional reusable options in order to meet the provisions of the Packaging Act. This can lead to higher costs for the companies, since reusable dishes and cups may have to be purchased. At the same time, the garbage volume in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is to be reduced, which can have a positive impact on the environment. The regulatory office's controls show that not all catering businesses yet comply with the new regulations. This indicates that further information and enforcement measures could be necessary. A responsible waste management is not only important for sustainability, but also for the positive image of the district. Gastronomy inside that neglect the reusable obligation could lose customers and possibly also be confronted with fines. It is therefore in the interest of the companies to observe and implement the new regulations.

Source: According to a report by www.berlin.de